Colombia

Costa Rica

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Panama

United States

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Panamanian President-elect Jose Raul Mulino's appointed security chief Frank Abrego said the new government is considering establishing checkpoints along the northern Darien Gap in order to combat migration through the territory, Reuters reported on May 16. 

Panama: President-Elect Considers Implementing Checkpoints at Darien Gap

Israel

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Trucks began moving humanitarian aid ashore from the U.S.-built temporary humanitarian pier in Gaza around 9 a.m. local time, U.S. Central Command reported via X, formerly Twitter, on May 17.

U.S., Israel: First Aid Arrives Through U.S.-Built Temporary Pier in Gaza

The Mexican government has increased apprehensions of migrants within its borders to prevent them from reaching the U.S.-Mexico border, apprehending 280,000 migrants in March 2024 compared with approximately 100,000 per month in early 2023, NBC reported on May 15.

Mexico, U.S.: Mexico Increases Migrant Apprehensions Throughout Country

Cambodia

Malaysia

Thailand

Vietnam

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

U.S. officials said the United States would immediately start applying a 14.25% tariff on imported double-sided solar panels from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, E&E News reported on May 16.

U.S.: Washington To Raise Tariffs on Southeast Asian Solar Panels

China

Cyber

U.S.-China Relations

Microsoft offered to relocate 700-800 employees at its China cloud-computing and artificial intelligence arm outside of China, including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 16.

China, U.S.: Microsoft Looks To Relocate Some Chinese AI and Cloud Computing Staff Outside of China

Europe

The European Commission will start a formal review of the bloc’s semiconductor supply chain to assess reliance on Chinese imports for so-called legacy chips, which are mature and low-end semiconductors (at or above 28 nanometers) used in all sorts of products, from household appliances to cars and medical devices, Politico reported on May 15. 

EU, China: Brussels To Launch Formal Review of China's Role in Legacy Chip Supply Chains

Lebanon

Palestinian Territories

White House officials told Congress on May 14 that it would send some $1 billion in fresh arms and ammo to Israel, including $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, though it is unclear when the delivery will take place, AP reported on May 15.

U.S., Israel: Despite Rafah Threats, U.S. To Send $1B in Ammo and Aid to Israel

The U.S. Senate's bipartisan working group on artificial intelligence, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called for $32 billion in yearly spending on non-defense AI innovation, Politico reported on May 15.

U.S.: Senators Pitch $32B in Funding for AI Roadmap, Stay Silent on Regulation

Assessments

Kenya

Saudi Arabia

Taiwan

Spain

Ireland

Taiwanese President-elect William Lai (C) on Jan. 13 in Taipei, Taiwan. Lai will officially begin his four-year presidency May 20.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Kenya's President Visits Washington, Lai Inaugurated in Taiwan

Ukraine

Russia

Ukrainian soldiers fire at a Russian position in Ukraine's Kharkiv region on April 21, 2024. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

While initially intended to draw Ukrainian resources away from the Donbas region, Russia's new front in the northeastern Kharkiv region will likely become core to Moscow's war efforts in 2025.

Russia's New Front in Kharkiv Raises the Stakes for Ukraine and the West

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

This map shows the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups.

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 16, 2024

Australia

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands' newly elected prime minister Jeremiah Manele speaks during a press conference in Honiara on May 2, 2024.

The leadership change will maintain the strategic Pacific Island nation's new pro-Beijing bent, driving the U.S. and Australia to scale up their own influence campaigns.

The Solomon Islands Elects Another Pro-China Prime Minister

Brazil

Chile

The Weekly Rundown: Putin Goes to China, New U.S. Tariffs on China

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Natsumi Sakai (C) of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan poses with others after receiving news that she won the by-election for the Tokyo No. 15 district seat for the lower house, in Tokyo, Japan, on April 28, 2024.

Recent by-elections reveal that a slush fund scandal is continuing to take its toll on Japan's ruling party, but Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to remain in power, for now.

By-Election Losses Shake Japan's Ruling Party, but Kishida Stays the Course

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 9, 2024

Social Issues

For the first time in a U.S. presidential election, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy will become a prominent point of contention between the two candidates and their parties. 

The Impact of the U.S. Presidential Election on Corporate ESG Programs

Iran

Yemen

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 29 at a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-U.S. Strategic Partnership in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Riyadh will continue to progressively advance diplomatic relations with Israel and deepen defense ties with the United States, while maintaining its cautious outreach to Iran.

Riyadh will continue to progressively advance diplomatic relations with Israel and deepen defense ties with the United States, while maintaining its cautious outreach to Iran.

Assessing Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy During the Israel-Hamas War and Beyond

Perhaps the one area where the President and former President broadly agree is the national security implications of technology policy: Biden has maintained and expanded many of Trump's first-term restrictions on China's access to sophisticated American technology, and both share a revitalized interest in "reshoring" high-tech manufacturing. While a second Biden administration would put a greater emphasis on working in concert with America's allies on technology policy and would be more open to "friendshoring" key tech production, a second Trump term would be more likely to "go it alone" and would be far more transactional with friend and foe alike.

Trump vs. Biden: The Implications for U.S. Tech Regulation

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 2, 2024

Media

Podcasts

What types of threat actors will be most active leading up to the election?

Essential Geopolitics: Election-Related Cyber Threats in the U.S.

The United States encompasses territory spanning from the Arctic Circle and Central Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic.    The Greater Mississippi Basin is the United States' core and serves as the underpinning of its role as a global superpower.    The basin hosts an extensive network of navigable rivers that overlay the world's largest contiguous piece of arable land. This naturally interconnected river system facilitated integration among settlers and allowed for cheap transport of goods, providing the United States with the ability to feed itself efficiently and rapidly build up industry and capital to expand west. The Midwestern core gave early America strategic depth, while an expanding U.S. coastline, naturally indented with deep harbors, provided its opening to the world.    After reaching the Pacific coast in the mid-19th century, the United States found itself insulated by two oceans. On the continent itself, geography again has worked in the country's favor: lakes to the north and deserts to the south insulate the United States' population centers, with both Canada and Mexico facing too many natural constraints of their own to seriously rival it.    This unparalleled level of wealth and protection gives the United States options that few to no countries can claim. For one, the United States has used its wealth and security to build up the world's largest navy. Control of the world's major sea-lanes gives the United States the power to facilitate or deny trade to allies or rivals of the day. The onus therefore is on the United States to carefully manage its engagements abroad and build up strategic allies to protect its overseas interests and preserve its strength at home. 

SITUATION REPORTS

Panama: President-Elect Considers Implementing Checkpoints at Darien Gap

U.S., Israel: First Aid Arrives Through U.S.-Built Temporary Pier in Gaza

Mexico, U.S.: Mexico Increases Migrant Apprehensions Throughout Country

U.S.: Washington To Raise Tariffs on Southeast Asian Solar Panels

China, U.S.: Microsoft Looks To Relocate Some Chinese AI and Cloud Computing Staff Outside of China

EU, China: Brussels To Launch Formal Review of China's Role in Legacy Chip Supply Chains

U.S., Israel: Despite Rafah Threats, U.S. To Send $1B in Ammo and Aid to Israel

U.S.: Senators Pitch $32B in Funding for AI Roadmap, Stay Silent on Regulation

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